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Research Coins: Feature Auction

 
Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 727. Estimate $15000. 
Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005. 
Sold For $11000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes. 246-221 BC. AV Oktadrachm (27.73 gm, 12h). Alexandria mint. Commemorative issue struck under Ptolemy IV, 221-205 BC. Bust of the deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis; trident over left shoulder, middle prong ends in a lotus finial / Radiate and filleted cornucopiae; DI below. Svoronos 1117; SNG Copenhagen 196; BMC Ptolemies 103; Boston MFA 2283. Good VF, lightly toned, some die rust around the diadem. ($15,000)

Ptolemy IV struck an extensive series of oktadrachms for his father Ptolemy III, portraying him with the divine attributes of Helios (the radiate diadem), Zeus (the aegis), and Poseidon (the trident, the middle prong modified with the addition of the Egyptian lotus tip). The concentration of such symbols is intended to show Ptolemy III as the master of the three elements: heaven, earth and sea. The radiate crown above the cornucopiae on the reverse is another distinctive feature of Ptolemy III's iconography, and was later adopted by his grandson, Ptolemy V.